Apparatus for forming rims or the like.



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w 9R A No. 642,976. Patel xted m.- 6, I900. T. H. GBIGG.

APPARATUS FOR FORMING RIMS OR THE LIKE.

(No Ilodok) No. 642,976. "Patented Feb. 6, I900. T. H. GRIGG. APPARATUS FOR FORMING RIMS OR THE LIKE.

4 Shoaia-Shoet (No Model.)

ATTORNEY.

No. 642,976. Patented Feb. 6, I900. T. H. GRIGG. APPARATUS FOR FORMING RIMS OR THE LIKE. (Application filed Jan. 31, 1899.) (No Model.) 4,Shee ts-Sheet ,3.

F. INVENTCH ATTORNEY,

TNE Norms PEYERS co. wommmm. wunmrmu. o. c

No. 642,976. Patented Feb. 6, 1900. T. H. GRIGG.

1 APPARATUS FOR FORMING RIMS OR THE LIKE. (Application m I W i Nrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS H. GRIGG, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE GRIGG SUSPENSION TIRE COMPANY, OF CAMDEN, NEW, JERSEY.

APPARATUS FOR FORMING RIMS OR THE LIKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 642,976, dated February 6, 1900.

Application filed January 31, 1899. Serial No. 703,983. (No model.)

T at whom it may concern: anism into and out of operation. Fig. 1 is Be it known that I, THOMAS H. GRIGG, a a sectional detail as on the line x x of Fig. 1. citizen of the United States, residing in the Fig. 2 is a view similar to-Fig. 1, showing the city and county of Philadelphia and State of parts in the position they are caused to as- Pennsylvania,have invented certain new and some upon the completion of the operation. 55

useful Improvements in Apparatus for Form- Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section as on ing Rims or the Like, of which the following the line y y of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an elevation is a full, clear, and exact description, referof the mechanism for operating the glue-apence being had to the accompanying drawplying roller. Fig. 5 is a sectional plan of :0 ings, forming a part of this specification. the framework, showing the driving mechan- 6o This invention relates to an apparatus for ism, the former-wheel, and the strip-guide. winding flexible strips of material in close-ly- Fig. 6 is a view of a modification of tension ing convolutions or layers, and at the same device hereinafter referred to. time uniformly and effectively cementing the Numeral 1 designates a supporting-frame,

r 5 sametogether from theinnermost to the outerand 2 a main shaft thereon geared at one end 65 most layer in a manner to produce a ring or with a counter-shaft 3, carrying a pulley 4, band of predetermined diameter and thickthat is driven from a suitable source of power. ness. On the opposite end of the main shaft is The present invention has been especially mounted a former-wheel 5, upon which the designed for the purpose of economizing time, flexible strip 6 of wood or other suitable ma- 7o labor, and expense in the manufacture of terial is wound. This wheel comprises a seblank wheel rims or tires of wood; but obries of segments '7, arranged concentrically to viously to the same end the machine may be the shaft and connected, by means of radial used for the production of hoops, boxes, bararms, with an inner concentric ring 9, which rels, and analogous devices. is affixed to the shaft. In the present instance 75 The invention, as generally stated, consists the ring is formed on arms 10, radiating from in a contractible and expansible ring or a hub 11, fast on the shaft. Each segment is former-wheel upon which the flexible strip is pivotally supported by two arms 12 and 13, wound, means whereby glue or other cement one, 12, of which constitutes a link, while is progressively applied to the convolutions, the other is extended inward tangentially to So and means whereby the requisite tension or the shaft, or substantially so, to constitute a pressure is applied to the strip to insure the lever, whereof the inner end is forked or slot proper formation and intimate connection ted, as at 14, for the reception of a stud 15 on and adhesion of the contiguous convolutions. the end of anindependently-rotatable collar or 5 The invention consists also in means wheresleeve 16, fitted to the hub,whereby when said 8 5 by the ring or former-wheel is contracted and collar or sleeve is partially turned the seg expanded, means whereby the gluing or cements will be simultaneously retracted into menting mechanism is thrown into and out end-to-end contact to reduce uniformly the of action at the beginning and completion, diameter of the former-ring. A crank-lever 0 respectively, of the winding operation, and 17 is fulcrumed on the end of the main shaft 0 means whereby the pressure or tension m'echand connected with the collar or sleeve 16, so anism may be thrown into and out of operaas to facilitate the operation of turning the tion as desired, together with various novel latter. In the extremity of one of the segfeatures of construction and organization of ments is a recess 18, which is adapted to re- 5 pa1-ts,whichwillbehereinafterfullydescribed ceive the leading end of the flexible strip to and claimed. be wound, the upper surface of the adjacent In the annexed drawings, Figure 1 is a side segment (noted 7) being slightly beveled or elevation of the apparatus as in actual operreduced, as at 19, to permit the insertion of ation. Fig. 1 is a detail of the hand-lever the strip in the recess. The latter segment is for throwing the peripheral clamping mechalso provided with one or more orifices 20,

through which may be driven, from the under side of the segment into the strip, tacks or the like, that taking against the edges of the orifices retain the end of the strip in place. Adjacent the former-wheel is a frame 21 for the guidance of the strip, which frame in the present instance comprises a pair of parallel bars affixed to an arm or bracket 22, extending from the main frame. The leading end of the strip being secured to the wheel, as just stated, power is applied to the main shaft and the strip in consequence wound upon the wheel. During the winding opera tion glue or the like is progressively applied to the strip for the purpose of cementing together the successive convolutions, and at the same time peripheral pressure is applied to the strip in a manner to effect its close winding upon the wheel,and thusinsure the proper curvature and adhesion of the contiguous convolutions.

The gluing mechanism is arranged directly below the wheel. It comprises a jacketed pot or vessel 22, in which the glue is contained, and a feed-roller 23, whichat predetermined intervals is moved against and from the revolving strip. The roller is carried by arms 24,extending from a rock-shaft 25, journaled in hearings on one end of the vessel. One end of the shaft is extended laterally beyond the vessel and carries an inclined trackway 26, with up-projecting end pieces 27, which'constitute stops for a movable Weight,

. such as the spool 28, that is imposed on the trackway and adapted to run from end to end thereof to vary the inclination of the trackway. Normally the spool lies at the inner end of the trackway to maintain the roller depressed withinthe glue-pot, as represented in Fig. 2; but preparatory to the passage of the secured end of the strip above the roller the spool is forcibly struck by a depending arm 29 and knocked backward thereby sufficiently to overcome the weight of the roller, whereupon the rearward end of the trackway is depressed and the roller raised against the strip to feed the glue thereto, in which position it remains with yielding pressure until the prescribed number of convolutions have been made. During the winding of the several layers the roller is steadily depressed thereby until at or about the completion of the operation the roller is lowered sufficiently to incline the trackway to ward the glue-pot,whereupon the spool, descending the incline, returns the roller to its original or idle position within the glue-pot.

The striker-arm 29 above mentioned is pivoted to a suitably-arranged lug or bracket 30 on the main frame and is connected, by means of a link 31, with a depending lever 32, the lower arm of which lies in the path of a laterally-projecting tappei-stud 33 on the segment 7. Hence during the rotation of the formerwheel the stud abuts against the opposing lever arm and moves it forward, thus throwing the striker-arm backward, with the effect stated.

The pressure or clamping devices illustrated in the present construction comprise a series of spring-controlled rollers 34:, arranged adjacent the top and one side of the former wheel and adapted to be thrown into and out of operation by actuation of a common handlever 35. The rollers are journaled in yokebrackets 36, having outwardly projecting shanks 37, which extend through perforated guide-lugs 38 in levers 39, so as to be longitudinally movable thereon. The shanks are each provided with a way 40, in which is fitted a screw-pin 4.1 in the adjacent guide-lug, so as to prevent rotation'of the shank. (See Fig. 1".) Spiral springs 4-3, encircling the shanks, bear against the outer lugs and opposing studs 44 on the shanks, so as to maintain the rollers normally projected outward and against the wheel with a yielding clamping action. The levers are fulcrumed at intervals apart to a curved bar 42, which is bolted to the main frame, the outer ends of the respective levers being successively connected by links 45, whereby the entire series may be actuated simultaneously for the purpose of throwing the rollers against the strip upon the wheel, as seen in Fig. 1, or of raising them therefrom, as seen in Fig. 2. One of the levers is extended outwardto constitute the hand-lever 35 above mentioned. On this hand-lever is a spring-actuated thumb-lever 46, hearing on its inner end a stud 47, adapted to register with predetermined perforations 48 in a fixed sector 49 when the handlever is raised or lowered, and thereby lock lever in order to permit the requisite adj ustment and throw of the rollers in respect to the former-wheel when the hand-lever is operated. The rollers are retracted when the strip has been completely wound, and a tack or the like is or may be temporarily driven into the outer extremity of the strip to secure it in place. The tacks inserted at the outset by way of the orifices in the segment '7 are either retracted or driven into the material. The hand-lever 17 is actuated to contract the former-wheel, and the circular ring or band produced thereon is then removed. Such ring or band may be applied to a suitable lathe or turning-machine for the purpose of being channeled, planed, or worked into any desired form in cross-section, as particular requirements may demand. A machine for this purpose forms the subject of a separate application for patent filed herewith, Serial No. 703,982.

It will be understood that I do not confine my invention to the specific construction and arrangement of parts hereinbefore described, as the same may in many respects be considerably modified without departing from'the fair spirit of the invention. For example, in Fig. 6 I have illustrated a modification wherein the peripheral pressure or clamping rollers are dispensed with, the strip in that case being fed to the former-wheel under considerable tension exerted by opposing rollers 34, mounted in advance of the wheel. The firstdescribed construction is preferable.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a shaft, of a series of segments concentric therewith, an inner concentric ring affixed to the shaft, a pair of arms connecting each segment with the said ring, one of which arms constitutes a link while the other is extended inward to constitute a lever, and an independently-rotatable collar or sleeve to which the inner arms of the respective levers are pivotally connected.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a shaft, of a series of segments concentric therewith, an inner concentric ring affixed to the shaft, a pair of arms connecting each segment with the said ring, one of which arms constitutes a link while the other is extended inward to constitute a lever, an independently-rotatable collar or sleeve to which the inner arms of the respective levers are pivotally connected, and a crank-lever fulcrumed on the end of the shaft and connected with said collar or sleeve.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a shaft, of a series of segments concentric therewith, an inner concentric ring affixed to the shaft, a pair of arms connecting each segment with the said ring, one of which arms constitutes a link while the other is extended inward to constitute a lever, an independently-rotatable collar or sleeve to which the inner arms of the respective levers are pivotally connected, means for retaining the end of a strip on one of said segments, whereby the strip is wound upon the segments during their rotation, and means whereby cement is applied to the successive layers or convolutions of the strip.

4. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a shaft, of a series of segments concentric therewith,an inner concentric ring affixed to the shaft, a pair of arms connecting each segment with the said ring, one of which arms constitutes a link While the other is extended inward to constitute a lever, an independently-rotatable collar or sleeve to which the inner arms of the respective levers are pivotally connected, means for retaining the end of a strip on one of said segments, whereby the strip is wound upon the segments during their rotation, means whereby radially-actin g pressure is applied at adjacent points upon the outer faces of the successive layers or convolutions, and

' means whereby cement is applied to the said layers or convolutions.

5. In a machine of the character described, the combination with asegmental former, and its supporting and operating parts, of a series of rollers arranged aboutand adjacent to the segments of said former, radial supports for said rollers, springs in said supports,a series of radial levers for said supports, the outer arms of which levers are gradually lengthened from the top to the bottom lever, links connecting the arms of the successive levers, a bar to which the levers are fulcrumed, and locking means for said levers.

6. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a circular former, and its supporting and operating parts, of a series of rollers arranged about and adjacent to the segments of said former, radial supports for said rollers, springs in said supports, a series of radial levers for said supports, the outer arms of which levers are gradually lengthened from-the top to the bottom lever, links connecting the arms of the successive levers, a bar to which the levers are fulcrumed, a hand-lever forming a continuation of one of said levers, and locking means for said handlever.

7. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a former, and its supporting and operating parts, of a cement-pot adjacent to the path of said former, a feeder in said pot, and means whereby the said feeder is automatically moved into contact with the work on the former at or about the beginning of the winding operation and out of contact therefrom at or near the completion of the operation.

8. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a former, of a cementpot adjacent to the path thereof, a rocking trackway, cement-feeding means connected therewith, a weight on said trackway, movable from end to end thereof, and adapted when at one end of the trackway to incline the same and thereby maintain the said cementfeeding means in contact with the work on the former, whereby during the progress of the work said roller and therewith the end of the trackway is depressed to permit the movement by gravity of the weight and the consequent further depression of the trackway.

9. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a former, of a cementpot adjacent thereto, a rock-shaft, a trackway on said shaft provided with end stops, an arm on said shaft carrying a cement-feeding roller, a weight on said trackway, movable from end to end thereof, and adapted when at one end of the trackway to incline the same and thereby maintain the said roller in contact with the work on the former, whereby during the Ice progress of the work said roller and therewith the end of the trackway are depressed to permit the movement by gravity of the Weight and the consequent further depression of said trackway.

10. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a former, of a cementpot adjacent thereto, a rock-shaft, a track way thereon provided with end stops, an arm on said shaft carrying a cement-feeding roller, a weight on said trackway movable from end to end thereof and adapted when at one end of the trackway to incline the same and thereby maintain the said roller in contact with the work on the former, whereby during the progress of the work said roller and therewith the end of the trackway are depressed to permit the movement by gravity of the weight and the consequent further depression of said trackway, together with means whereby the said roller is automatically moved back on the trackway.

11. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a former, of a cementpot adjacent thereto, a rock-shaft, a trackway on said shaft provided with end stops, an arm on said shaft carrying a cement-feeding roller, a weight on said trackway, a depending striker-arm movable against said Weight, a lever, connections between the same and said arm, and a stud or projection on the said former adapted in its rotation to abut against said lever.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

THOMAS H. GRIGG. [L. s.]

Witnesses:

ANDREW V. GRoUPE, JOHN R. NOLAN. 

